line between life and a gruesome death.

Master the 'line between life and a gruesome death' in Left 4 Dead. Learn strategies for the final escape, from minigun defense to helicopter rendezvous.

As soon as you respond to the radio a second time, the Infected will make their presence known. Quickly rush up to the roof and man the minigun. Try to keep the Horde below at bay while your teammates shoot the ones that climb up the side of the building. If things get too hairy, abandon the gun and help out.

There are usually small periods of time where activity stops; take this time to heal, regroup, reload, stock up on more ammo, find more hand-tossed weapons, and take your position. It's important to stay together, because you cannot afford to have anyone killed. If someone is being attacked by a Special Infected or incapacitated, abandon everything that you are doing and go to their aid. Staying on top of the radio building, even the part above the minigun, is recommended for the high ground advantage.

After three or four "waves" of enemies (which usually consists of two groups of the three main Special Infected, a buttload of common Infected, usually topped off with a Tank), the helicopter will show up. This is where things get the worst. Make sure everybody is healed up, because this is the time where the Infected tend to divide and conquer. Even more Infected show up than the normal waves, and it's very easy to get totally overwhelmed.

Do not move from your position even when one of the survivors notes that the helicopter is here. Don't wait for it to "be here", only make a dash for it when you see it flying next to the helicopter pad. Instead of dropping everything and make a beeline, slowly advance towards the helicopter while shooting anything that follows you. A Tank more than likely will show up as soon as your help appears. You can outrun a Tank, so it's up to you. If you're on your last legs, it may be better to opt out of combat. Use a pipe bomb to distract the Horde, THEN bolt towards the helicopter.

Jump onto the helicopter to end the level and the campaign. This finale is considered one of the toughest due to the layout.

Tip: Strategy by Dybo

• Strategy 1: Saferoom Defense
• Everyone gets on the roof, but does not jump down. Send one person down to summon the rescue.
• Make your way back to the safe room, watching out for Special Infected in the elevator shaft.
• Get to the safe room, close the door, and have someone crouch in front of it to prevent the Tank from breaking in.
• Wait in the safe room until the helicopter is here. Wait for one last tank, then head up.
• You'll have to fight a tank somewhere along the way. Sacrifices may be necessary.
• Strategy 2: Hidden Room Breach
• Locate a specific small room to the left of the landing pad, past a taller building and up a metal staircase to a door that cannot be opened normally.
• The door can be broken down by all four survivors working at it, or by luring an Infected up the stairs to claw at it.
• Once the door is open, get everyone inside, along the back wall.
• Summon the rescue and get back to the room. Wait for the horde music and sound effects, but it won't appear.
• When the tank spawns, it will either despawn from being too far away or end up in the room under you.
• Keep moving within the room to avoid going Idle.
• Once the rescue comes, head down the stairs, around the building, up the ramp and into the chopper.